Abstract: A motorized drill is mounted in the handle of a Kerrison Rongeur System utilized by a surgeon to perform surgical procedures on a patient, includes mechanism for moving the rotating drill toward the fixed upstanding foot mounted at the remote end of the pistol-shaped handle for removing bone which is located between the upstanding foot and the drill bit. In another embodiment, the drill is removably fixed in the handle and the foot moves relative to the drill bit. In either embodiment a trigger operated by the surgeon actuates the foot/drill and the trigger is biased to maximize the space between the foot and the drill bit. The foot shape and dimension can be modified for perfecting given surgical procedures. In one embodiment the drill motor releasing mechanism includes a pinion gear and rack performing the additional function of releasing the motor locked in position in the handle.

Abstract: A microemulsion delivery system for water insoluble or sparingly water soluble drugs that comprises a long polymer chain surfactant component and a short fatty acid surfactant component, with the amount of each being selected to provide stable microemulsion or micellar systems.

Abstract: A microemulsion delivery system for water insoluble or sparingly water soluble drugs that comprises a long polymer chain surfactant component and a short fatty acid surfactant component, with the amount of each being selected to provide stable microemulsion or micellar systems.

Abstract: A method and device for sterilizing objects in a microwave oven is disclosed. The invention comprises an inexpensive container for sterilizing medical devices and other objects used in a home that have the potential to transmit infectious diseases. An indicator, preferably responsive to heat, to indicate when an object has been adequately sterilized, is placed on, or incorporated into, the container to alert a user that an object has been properly sterilized.

Abstract: A microemulsion delivery system for water insoluble or sparingly water soluble drugs that comprises a long polymer chain surfactant component and a short fatty acid surfactant component, with the amount of each being selected to provide stable microemulsion or micellar systems.

Abstract: An intubation scope assembly adapted to facilitate the positioning of an endotracheal tube in a patient comprising an electromagnetic or sound energy source which enters the vocal cords exteriorly of the neck of the patient with energy having a direction, wavelength and intensity capable of entering the trachea, substantially avoiding encompassing the entire pharynx and capable of being transmitted cephalad substantially between and/or around the vocal cords. A suitable sensor for the energy emitted by such source comprises a stylet assembly, the distal end of which can detect or collect the energy transmitted between and/or around the vocal cords and the proximal end of which can monitor the detected or collected energy to thereby locate the vocal cords for positioning an endotracheal tube therebetween. A system and method of intubating a patient with the foregoing assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intubation scope assembly adapted to facilitate the positioning of an endotracheal tube in a patient comprising an electromagnetic or sound energy source which enters the vocal cords exteriorly of the neck of the patient with energy having a direction, wavelength and intensity capable of entering the trachea, substantially avoiding encompassing the entire pharynx and capable of being transmitted cephalad substantially between and/or around the vocal cords. A suitable sensor for the energy emitted by such source comprises a stylet assembly, the distal end of which can detect or collect the energy transmitted between and/or around the vocal cords and the proximal end of which can monitor the detected or collected energy to thereby locate the vocal cords for positioning an endotracheal tube therebetween. A system and method of intubating a patient with the foregoing assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: The heating of blood or other medical fluids supplied to a patient is provided by a system and method of feedback control. The temperature of the blood is sensed by receiving infrared energy from the medical fluid as it flows within a sterile and disposable tube from a fluid source to the patient. Feedback control stabilizes the temperature at a desired value. A second sensor may optionally be used to determine if the fluid is too hot within the microwave device itself. The disposable tube has at least one window or thin membrane portion which allows infrared radiation to pass therethrough in order to be sensed by the sensor. One arrangement of the present invention uses a microprocessor with adaptive control to provide precise and accurate control of the temperature of the medical fluid.

Abstract: A diagnostic monitor checks the carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) content of a gas exiting a patient during endotracheal or esophageal intubation. A plurality of composition portions substantially change color in response to exposure to the carbon dioxide. The composition portions change color in response to different times of exposure to carbon dioxide. A magnifying or condensing lens may be positioned on the monitor to enhance viewing of the color change. The monitor may advantageously be made part of an intubation system through which the gases from a patient exit the patient. The differences in time of exposure needed to cause the color change may be accomplished by using semipermeable membranes having differing thicknesses, CO.sub.2 permeabilities, and/or surface areas with each membrane corresponding to a particular one of the composition portions. An arrangement is provided whereby the monitor is automatically activated by the normal assembly steps of a patient breathing circuit.

Abstract: Described here are a novel means and device for noninvasively quantifying important blood constituents. Total hemoglobin, arterial oxygen content, hematocrit, and other parameters can all be determined quickly and easily without the need for skin puncture or lengthy laboratory analysis. The invention described here concerns the simultaneous measurement of volume changes and changes in the mass of either oxyhemoglobin, total hemoglobin, or reduced hemoglobin. The data obtained by these measurements is used to quantify the parameters of interest.

Abstract: A diagnostic monitor checks the carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) content of a gas exiting a patient during endotracheal or esophageal intubation. A plurality of composition portions substantially change color in response to exposure to the carbon dioxide. The composition portions change color in response to different times of exposure to carbon dioxide. A magnifying or condensing lens may be positioned on the monitor to enhance viewing of the color change. The monitor may advantageously be made as part of an intubation system through which the gases from a patient exit the patient. The differences in time of exposure needed to cause the color change may be accomplished by using semipermeable membranes having differing thicknesses, CO.sub.2 permeabilities, and/or surface areas with each membrane corresponding to a particular one of the composition portions.